Shocker: Nikita Boss to 'Start Killing People Off'

Without revealing who (or how many) would get the ax, showrunner Craig Silverstein tells TVLine that the body count is about to rise on the CW thriller.

“We’ve built up a lot of [cast members], and so we’ve got to start killing them off,” Silverstein warns, adding with a laugh, “Frankly, I can’t afford them all!”

While secondary characters like Roan and one of the many Guardians would seem to be most vulnerable, Silverstein insists a “series regular” title does not equate to safety. “Yes, some of those guys will die,” he teased ominously, “but remember, Ashton Holmes’ Thom was a regular.”

But before you start preparing your permanent goodbyes, the Nikita boss adds that some characters will merely “go away” instead of meeting their maker.

Here are a few more seriously scoopy tidbits from Silverstein:

• Much more Owen is on the way! Silverstein tells us that Devon Sawa hasn’t shot anything new just yet, but, “I want him back for some big stuff near the end of the season.”

• Cassandra won’t actually rear her ugly pretty head again until Episode 17, but she’ll continue to be a thorn in Mikita’s side from afar. “The reality is, this is Michael’s kid” Silverstein confirms. “There’s no twist coming up to refute that.” The EP adds that he is very aware that “a kid shouldn’t be in a spy show” because — simply put — “it’s just not sexy.” That said, “I’m not going to kill the kid or leave him without a mother, so we need to resolve this in a satisfying way — and we will.”

• A cagey Silverstein revealed that Nikita will discover her dear pal Ryan is still alive “very soon.”

• There’s still a small possibility the aforementioned (and very much dead) Thom will pop up again someday, but only if “Ashton’s character, Tyler, dies on Revenge,” Silverstein jokes.

• Sarah Clarke will appear again as Alex’s estranged mother, Katya. “You’re going to see more of her,” he shares. “Alex is going to have to come to figure out what she’s going to do about her mom, how culpable she is and if she is worth saving.”

Who do you think is going to be offed on Nikita? Are you excited there’s more Owen ahead? And that Cassandra is on her way out? Hit the comments!